Chapter 14 THE SAXON CHIEFTAIN CONFRONTS DE MONTFORT.

"Then crouch no more on suppliant knee,

But scorn with scorn outbrave;

A Briton even in love should be

A subject, not a slave."

Wordsworth.

* * *

Count de Montfort and his daughter Alice were seated together one evening in what was known as the crimson parlour, a comfortable and somewhat elegant room for the period. It was wainsco